Working with Chris helped me achieve my goals, and I highly recommend him. I significantly improved my race times, setting new PRS in every race.

I have always liked running, as I was a soccer player growing up. It had always been a goal of mine to complete a marathon, and in 2008, I achieved that goal.

Since then, I have fallen in love with the sport of running and have wanted to get better and faster. My new goal was to qualify for Boston, and I knew I needed some help to get there.

I was introduced to Coach Chris, and he put me on a plan. He tailored my workouts to fit my goals and life. I was a new mom (at the time), and still trying to figure out when to get my runs in. He encouraged me and pushed me to work hard.

- Amanda Davis

Before StraitSpeed

5K - 23:18

10k - 48:47

Half-Marathon - 1:42:36

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With StraitSpeed

5K - 21:59

10k - 45:32

20k - 1:35:21

Marathon - 3:26:26

CHRIS IS GENUINELY EXCITED TO SEE HIS ATHLETES REACH THEIR GOALS. I LOVE HAVING HIM ON MY TEAM.

Just how close can you get to qualifying for Boston and miss it? ONE second. That's right, ladies and gentlemen. I ran a 3:45:01 at [the] California International Marathon in December 2013. My BQ time was 3:45.

I started running in 2007 because it was a necessary leg for a triathlon. I completed my first full marathon in February 2010, and then I discovered Boston. It is funny how when you are not a runner, you know very little about famous marathons, and when you become a runner, Boston becomes an obsession.

Enter injury. After crushing my virgin marathon time of 4:07:49 with a 3:46:08 at the Houston Marathon in 2011, I just knew I could run faster, so I did. I trained faster, and I broke my body seven times. Stress fractures of the tibia, femur, and metatarsal. The cycle of run, injury, recover, ramp back up became my "normal." It was at this point I decided to hire a coach again.

Chris came recommended by someone who had experienced some injuries, and I knew Chris had coached a few Dallas elite females post-injury to solid performances. We ramped up slowly and somehow Chris got me to peak at a 50-mile week on 5 days of running. I honestly did not believe that was possible given my history. Our "B" race for the fall/winter resulted in a PR and my long-sought BQ, securing my likely acceptance to Boston with a 4:06 cushion under my qualifying standard.

I like that Chris provides my workouts on a weekly basis so that we can adjust if things feel off, and I like his unlimited communication. At times, I need to hear him cheer me on and, at times, he needs to remind me to listen to my body so he can adapt the schedule. I have two more goals I hope to accomplish with my running, and I plan to have Chris get me there.

- Gigi McGuire

Jimmy is a great coach who can take any runner to the next level!

My journey began as a runner back in 2013. I laced up my first pair of running shoes not knowing how far or fast my legs would take me. Since then, I have not looked back. The 5k’s came and went. Then the 10k’s, half marathons, marathons, and ultramarathons challenged my distance endurance. The races were rewarding experiences but, like many runners, I always thought I could do better. No matter how hard I trained, my times remained consistent. I accepted the fact that I had reached my potential, and this was how it was going to be.

In the fall of 2019, I met Coach Jimmy Balmer at a local track workout. I started asking questions about speed training with the ultimate intention of one day qualifying for Boston. Within minutes of our
conversation, Jimmy pointed out several factors that he would address to drive improvement. I was
impressed with his view of training smarter with a balanced program. With his recommendations, I would be able to avoid the traps of overtraining which could lead to injury or poor performance.

Signing up for his three-month Winter Series program, Jimmy coached me through eleven weekly races
sponsored by a local running club. The distance for each race ranged from 5k to half marathon on a very hilly course. From the very first race, I crushed my PR from previous years and continued to improve throughout the entire series. The times just kept getting better and better!

Jimmy’s program was flexible and diverse, allowing us to adjust the schedule on the fly! Implemented
through Final Surge, the online site to track your data, it was a breeze to view my progress and
send/receive questions or concerns. Once my workout was completed, I easily uploaded the data to the site. Jimmy commented immediately, providing feedback, which was crucial when tailoring my training plan so I could maximize those speed workouts!

I was fortunate enough to capitalize on Jimmy’s advice and training in such a short period of time. His
accomplishments as an athlete are now focused through coaching as he shares his experience’s and
knowledge with fellow runners. Marathon training starts soon, and I’m confident his program will be the foundation of my success.

He’s a great coach who can take any runner to the next level!

- Patrick Donadio

Before StraitSpeed

5.3miler - 36:36

6.2miler - 44:58

Half-Marathon - 1:35:34

Marathon - 3:31:43

With StraitSpeed

5.3miler - 33:47

6.2miler - 41:44

Half-Marathon - 1:32:32

Marathon - 3:09:50 (Boston 2023)

I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND CHRIS AS A RUNNING COACH REGARDLESS OF WHERE YOU ARE IN YOUR RUNNING CAREER. NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE CURRENTLY, HE WILL BRING YOU TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

I started running in 2009. While I made nice progress on my own, I realized that in order to take it to the next level, I needed someone who's been there and done that. My running partner had seen his times drop dramatically using Chris, so I signed up.

We started training for the 2012 Boston Marathon in January 2012. Chris immediately created weekly plans for me with a mix of easy runs and speed work. I was wanting higher mileage, but Chris counsel that it was just as important to stay healthy as it was to run high mileage.

In February 2012, I ran a 7:08 pace at the Hot Chocolate 15k, with progressively faster 5k splits. In March 2012, a few months after starting with Chris, I set a PR at the Dallas Rock n' Roll Half Marathon running a 1:35:25. While Boston turned out to be scorching hot, I was in better running shape than ever, and I stayed healthy along the way.

I would highly recommend Chris as a running coach regardless of where you are in your running career. No matter where you are, he will bring you to the next level.

- Greg Dennison.

Before StraitSpeed With StraitSpeed

15k - 1:09:12 15k - 1:06:30

Half-Marathon - 1:38:56 Half-Marathon -1:35:25

BECAUSE OF CHRIS, I WENT FROM A NON-RUNNER TO COMPLETING TWO FULL MARATHONS AND THREE HALF-MARATHONS IN FIFTEEN MONTHS.

I still have a hard time calling myself a runner, but because of Chris, I guess I am now. After playing soccer in college at both the NAIA and NCCAA Div I Levels, I took up running because my knees wouldn't let me play anymore. At the age of 34, I decided I would run a marathon. There was only one problem. . . the most I had ever run was six miles. Once I made the decision to train, my first phone call was to Coach Chris. He gave me basic instructions on ramping up mileage until about July 2011. At this point, we started really training for my goal race which was the White Rock Marathon in Dallas, December 2011. My goal was to finish the marathon in. under four hours. I did it, and three months later I ran The Woodlands Marathon. No way this happens without the training from Chris.

- Joe Purtle.

With StraitSpeed

5k - 22:31

10k - 45:43

5-Miler - 37:07

Half-Marathon - 1:40:47

Marathon - 3:41:28

Coach Jimmy helped my unlock my potential and to finally hit my stride in the marathon.

Coach Jimmy is an amazing coach. Before working with him, I did several marathon training cycles on my own, which led to sub-par race performances and injuries. I often felt frustrated with my times, because I knew I was better than that and was putting so much effort into training, with little to show for it on race day.

Coach Jimmy helped me to unlock my potential and to finally hit my stride in the marathon. He is very knowledgeable about the science of running and training. He was able to explain to me the purpose of each workout, as well as the importance of patience in a training cycle. Even though we lived in different states, he was so easy to communicate with in regards to workout feedback, training questions, race plans, etc on a regular basis. Each week, he sent me a tailored training plan with varied workouts, based on my personal fitness. It was great to not stress about what to do on any given day, and to just DO them at the pace prescribed. On the challenging workouts/races, it was motivating to know I had someone in my corner, who knew I could run x pace even when I didn't always think so. On the easy days, it was great to have that accountability, so that I wouldn't just speed up because I "felt" good.

All in all, Coach Jimmy has helped me achieve so much in just one cycle, from nailing hard workouts, to a 10k PR, and a marathon PR. This experience has been a game-changer for me and has me looking to achieve bigger things than I thought possible!

- Nicole

CHRIS' PROGRAMS ARE TAILORED TO HELP YOU GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR POTENTIAL.

I met Chris through a mutual friend and decided to enlist his services after training with other groups affiliated with running stores. Those programs were good but not specific enough to allow me to meet my goals.

Prior to my first session, Chris asked me for my recent race history and required me to give him my goals for the next racing season. I had a plan tailored for me specifically that was challenging and has since helped me get in the best shape I've been in over a decade. I feel I am well on my way to reaching my goal of setting a PR in both the marathon and half-marathon distance.

Chris not only creates the plan to help you succeed, but he also monitors your progress and makes sure you staying challenged, and, most of all, healthy while training. He understands the physiology of running and has great insight and advice on healing the aches and pains we runners experience. Over and above all else, he is one of the most positive guys I know, and is a great coach.

- Keith Watson.

Before StraitSpeed With StraitSpeed

Half-Marathon - 1:40:49 Half-Marathon - 1:34:42

Marathon 3:29:05

HIRING CHRIS IS ONE OF THE BEST DECISIONS I HAVE MADE IN MY LIFE.

I grew up following my parents around to local 10ks. In 1999, I decided to check the marathon box and ran my first marathon in Houston. By the 2011 Chicago Marathon, I had run 14 marathons and two Boston Marathons. After the [my fastest race] 2:59, I was plagued with injuries, two that took me out of ru nning for almost four years. This left me as a 43-year-old runner who had not run in four years.

I decided to hire a personal coach. That is when the magic started. Chris was very patient with me. I love that he adapts my schedule weekly based on my goals and how I am feeling. He understands that I have a life outside of running that demands my time and energy. I have had many coaches in my career as a competitive athlete, and I have never had one that cares for athletes the way Chris does. This is a special gift that he bestows which gives his athletes a secret weapon above and beyond the excellent training plans he puts together.

In the last last two and a half years, Chris has trained me to PR in every distance, and in 2019, I ran a 2:56:05 at the age of 46 years old at the California International Marathon!

If I ever need anything, Chris is a phone call away. He is knowledgeable, compassionate, honest, and a great communicator. I could not ask for more in a coach. The road truly has been magical, and I am excited to see what the future has in store. Chris is a gift to his athletes and to all that know him.

- Catherine Kruppa

CHRIS' KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, AND ENCOURAGEMENT COMBINE TO MAKE HIM A TRULY REMARKABLE COACH!

When I started working with Chris, I was immediately impressed with the individual attention he gave to each of his athletes. Even though he was coaching two people who were much faster and more experienced than I was, Chris was just as concerned about my success and training.

My workouts, races, and victories were just as important to him as the achievements of the other people. Chris created a training plan that was specific to me and geared for my improvement. After just a couple of months training with Chris, I ran a 5k in 25:15. Several months after that, I hit a personal record of 23:45.

Since that time, I have achieved PRs in every distance from 5k to half marathon.

- Karen Brinkmann.

Before StraitSpeed With StraitSpeed

5k - 37:45 5K - 23:45

AS A RESULT OF CHRIS' INDIVIDUALIZED TRAINING PLANS, EXCELLENT FEEDBACK, AND NURSING ADVICE, I RAN A 3:20:09 IN MY FIRST MARATHON.

In the summer of 2010, my wife and I attended an event at our local golf club. As part of the festivities, a photographer was on hand to take pictures. We had our pictures taken and when it was returned to us later in the evening, I couldn't recognize myself. Was that me? I was 41-years-old and weighted 190 lbs. . . and quickly heading to 200+.

I had ignored everyone's advice to eat better and exercise for years but that moment, that pictures, was a big-time wake-up call for me.

I ran in my teens and into my early twenties but for the past twenty years the only time I ran was when chased - which wasn't very often! However, the next day I bought a pair of running shoes. To my dismay, I couldn't run a single mile. Over a period of three months I worked myself into "mile" shape and was able to run a sub-7 mile. In the process, I lost 30lbs. The next step was to increase mileage and enter a race. At the time, I was only running about 10-15 miles a week. I entered the Dallas Uptown 5M and ran it in 36:25. Now, I was cooking and went on to train and run my first half-marathon in 1:38:05 in March of 2011.

I met Chris in late April and was immediately taken by his openness, knowledge, respect for the sport, and tremendous positive outlook. He had just returned from racing the Boston Marathon, and I knew this someone I wanted in my life. We started working together in May 2011 and as a result, I ran a 3:20:09 in my first marathon in Chicago.

Chris and I continue to work together, finding new boundaries with hard work and patience. In March 2012, I ran the Dallas Rock n' Roll Half in 1:26:43 and followed it up with a 3:02:56 at the Paris Marathon in 2012 (which I ran at 138lbs!).

I owe Chris a tremendous amount for his coaching and friendship. Chris and I joke that the best is yet to come. . . but it is true. The next five years will be unbelievable.

- Lal Karsanbhai.

With StraitSpeed

Half-Marathon - 1:26:43

Marathon - 2:58:40

HE IS ALWAYS THERE TO OFFER WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO REMIND ME THAT NOT EVERY RACE IS PERFECT, BUT THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT.

I met Coach Chris a couple of years ago because he was coaching a friend of mine. I didn't know too much about him other than that he is super fast. It quickly became apparent, though, that he knows what he's doing. Plus, he genuinely cares about his athletes and the progress they make.

Chris started coaching me in March, and I saw PRs in the 5k and half-marathon. He has helped me battle through injury (a broken hip), and I can tell I'm getting stronger with each workout. He keeps reminding me that great things are yet to come, and I am excited to chase down my goals with such an awesome coach helping me along the way!

He truly believes in me, which is what an athlete needs from a coach.

- Natalie Merrill.

Before StraitSpeed With StraitSpeed

5k - 19:57 5k - 18:44

Half-Marathon 1:27:01 Half-Marathon - 1:23:15

CHRIS IS A CONSTANT SOURCE OF ENCOURAGEMENT (AND THE OCCASSIONALLY NEEDED BUTT KICKING).

In 2005, I had a heart attack and was 100lbs overweight. After losing my weight and getting basic fitness in place, I decided to become a decent runner. Somewhere along the way, I became obsessed with the idea of qualifying for the Boston Marathon.

I watched a few close friends see incredible improvements under Coach Chris, and I began working with him. The biggest change was switching to much easier "easy" pace and much harder tempos and track workouts. My system was literally in shock, but I got to where 7:30s starting coming easy, and I could actually do a sub 7 pace comfortably. I finally BQed in a big way at White Rock Marathon with a 10+ minute PR.

Chris really cares about his athletes and you feel like he is as committed to your success as you are. The best example is when I rolled in confidently to the finish at White Rock and Chris was right there, cheering me on. As he always says, if you trust the plan and do the work, you will get the results.

- Michael Bordelon

Before StraitSpeed 5k - 19:48

Half-Marathon - 1:35:19 Marathon - 3:25:20

With StraitSpeed

5K - 19:07

Half-Marathon - 1:25:12

Marathon - 3:09:57 (BQ!)

I HAVE GOTTEN FASTER SINCE WORKING WITH CHRIS AND ACHIEVED SOME NEW PRs.

I have been working with Chris Strait for the last two years. He has been an amazing coach, supporting me when I needed it and also pushing me as well. I have gotten faster since working with Chris and achieved some new PRs. I plan to continue having Chris coach me and set [even more] PRs.

- Wendy Kirby, MD.

HAVING A COACH LIKE CHRIS THAT PUSHES AND BELIEVES IN YOU MAKES THESE ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT SEEMED IMPOSSIBLE. . . POSSIBLE.

In February of 2020, I weighed 235 pounds and was not taking care of my body. My son was born and this triggered my motivation to get back in shape. My Dad, who passed away in 2014, was an avid runner and ran the Boston Marathon a few times. I told myself I would run Boston in his honor one day. I also was a competitive high school track and cross country runner, so running is in my blood.

After a 20-year gap, my journey began in the midst of Covid 2020. I couldn't run more than 2-3 miles without stopping, so I started on the Peloton. I started shedding a few pounds and ran a 3:11 in my first marathon in November 2020. I really didn't know what I was doing or have a plan and I knew if I was going to get to Boston, I needed help. I reached out to my high school friend and former Dallas BMW Marathon Champion, Logan Sherman, who recommended Chris and another coach.

I talked with both coaches and immediately connected with Chris (January 2021). Since working with him over the last three years, I have PRd at every distance from 50k to 1 mile every year and counting. I am now down to 2:34 in the marathon, 1:16 in the half-marathon, and ran the 25th fastest 50k in the country in 2023 as a 41-year-old.

I wouldn't be where I am without Chris. His race/pace strategy has been perfect with what kind of shape I am in. His workouts are challenging, but fun. He is extremely communicative, providing feedback throughout training. He shows up on race days when he doesn't have to and gives that extra pep talk when nerves are high. My wife Katie, and my cousin Ali, are coached by Chris as well, and you can certainly see he customizes the training to the runner.

Running has changed my life and made me a better husband, father, and employee. It has taught me discipline and how to challenge himself. Having a coach like Chris that pushes and believes in you makes these accomplishments that seemed impossible possible. I am so grateful for meeting Chris. #StraitSpeed

- Dustin Darakhshan.

I highly recommend StraitSpeed for those who want to take their fitness to the next level.

I've been working with Chris Strait for three consecutive years. As a grand master’s athlete (55 years old), he’s helped me consistently podium races across the country. Additionally, he’s helped me become a top masters sprint triathlete! I highly recommend Straitspeed for those who want to take their fitness to the next level.

- Mark Speets

HE TRULY BELIEVES IN ME, WHICH IS WHAT AN ATHLETE NEEDS FROM A COACH.

I met Coach Chris a couple of years ago because he was coaching a friend of mine. I didn't know too much about him other than that he is super fast. It quickly became apparent, though, that he knows what he's doing. Plus, he genuinely cares about his athletes and the progress they make.

Chris started coaching me in March, and I saw PRs in the 5k and half-marathon. He has helped me battle through injury (a broken hip), and I can tell I'm getting stronger with each workout. He keeps reminding me that great things are yet to come, and I am excited to chase down my goals with such an awesome coach helping me along the way!

He truly believes in me, which is what an athlete needs from a coach.

- Natalie Merrill.

Before StraitSpeed With StraitSpeed

5k - 19:57 5k - 18:44

Half-Marathon 1:27:01 Half-Marathon - 1:23:15